Film editing device

ABSTRACT

A device for editing motion picture film which includes a film inspection station having means for viewing, cutting, and splicing film; and a pair of film transporting stations having means for winding the film, means for driving the winding means, braking means, and clutch means for controlling the driving and braking means to prevent accidental breaking of film and also to eliminate excess slack between the winding means.

United States Patent 1 Jorgensen [54] FILM EDITING DEVICE [451 June 5,1973 2/1926 Grunfeld ..352/l29 i 1,921,469 8/1933 Kuhn ..352/l29 [76]Inventor South Mam 3,459,472 8/1969 Husted ..352/129 Street, Lombard,lll.

[22] Filed: May 17, 1971 Primary Examiner-John M. Horan h d H PP 143,761Attorney Ric at W Carpenter [57] ABSTRACT [52] :J.S.Cl...352/l29,353/21, 352/182 A device for editing motion picture film which'f "Gosh 21/00 Go 3b 29/09 v cludes a film inspection station havingmeans for view- [5 1 I8 (I 0 earch g g, and p g d a p i of trans 355/64porting stations having means for winding the film, means for drivingthe winding means, braking means, [56] References and and clutch meansfor controlling the driving and brak- UNITED STATES PATENTS ing means toprevent accidental breaking of film and also to elimmate excess slackbetween the winding 3,002,703 10/1961 Hinchman...; ..242/55.12 means,2,906,167 9/1959 -Castedello... ..353/21 2,292,825 8/1942 Dilks .355/6412 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures iw I x ll I v 2. v I 52 q i 36 W e 1, 1'640 60W) 64 g 391 we a 1 g e w. '11 e i M80 T o 60 ee 68 2 7e 88 F o 70 184 [I00 i H0 H4 86 102 108 i H6 72 s mo l fi us a 5-4 5 1l1|1|1m|mu|1|wamumn t o o 7 82 n2 F I" L I I6 104 HO PATENTEBJUH 5191s I3. 737 .2 1 9 l Inventor Lelf G. Jorgensen n4 no n2 By AttorneyPATENIEHJUH 5:915 4 3.787.219

sum 20F 2 IIJU I] DIM III nvenror L if orgens MM A fornev FILM EDITINGDEVICE One of the problems related to apparatus used in the editing ofmotion picture film is that of controlling the travel of the film acrossthe inspection station in such a way that it can be moved slowly, aswell as rapidly, so the travel can be started or stopped quickly withoutbreaking the film or unwinding film from one reel when the slack is notbeing taken up at the same time on the other reel.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide, in a filmediting device of the type described, an improved film driving mechanismand clutch mechanism therefor which will permit high speed travel of thefilm and abrupt stopping without unwanted slack or accidental breakingof the film.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide cooperating brakeand clutch mechanisms that will control the slack on acceleration anddeceleration of film travel to accomplish this purpose.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from anexamination of the following description and drawings, wherein: 1

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a complete film editing apparatusembodying features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2--2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken on line 44 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a vertical section taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

It will be understood that, for purposes of clarity, certain elementshave been eliminated from certain views where they are believed to beillustrated to better advantage in other views.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of theinvention, and particularly to FIG. I, it will be seen that the filmediting device of the invention is divided into a left filmtransportation or winding (or unwinding) station L, a righttransportation station R, and an inspection station I.

To describe first the inspection station I, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and3, the station includes a generally horizontal platform on which ismounted a film cutting and splicing apparatus 12, of any suitable type,but preferably of the type described in my co-pending application forLetters Patent Ser. No. 91,417, filed Nov. 20, 1970; and entitled FilmSplicing Device. Inasmuch as the film cutting and splicing apparatus isnot per se related to the novel features of this invention, itsconstruction and operation will not be described in detail herein. It isbelieved sufficient to say that the film splicing device employed hereinis capable of cutting film or trimming jagged edges of broken film andsplicing adjacent film ends together in end-to-end relationship.

Also mounted on platform 10 in front of splicing device 12 and atopposite sides of platform 10, are a pair of film guide roller brackets14. As best seen in FIG. 4, each film guide roller bracket 14 includes apair of rollers 16, adapted to guidably receive a strip of film Ftherebetween, and which are rotatably mounted on an arm 18 which in turnis pivotally mounted, as by pin 20, to a mounting ear 22 secured toplatform 10.

The mounting arrangement permits the film, after it has been placed inthe guide rollers in the film viewing position, as shown in FIG. 1, tobe rotated back 180,

as shown in FIG. 4, to the film cutting and splicing position on thesplicing device, and then rotated back 180 again to the film viewing andtravel position, without ever requiring the removal of the film from theguide rollers. In order to accommodate viewing or inspection of the filmthere ismounted in platform 10 a translucent plate or screen 24 locateddirectly under the film, when the film is in the viewing and travelposition, and a light bulb 26 positioned under plate 24. At the front ofplatform 10 is located the switch panel 28 for controlling the variousoperations of the device.

Now'to describe the film winding (unwinding) mechanisms 30, which arebest illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, it will be seen that the windingunits of the left and right film transportation stations are extremelysimilar, so that they can be formed of a modular construction with onlyminor differences related to the accommodation of the direction oftravel of the film. Because of this similarity, in. describing theconstruction and operation of the units, reference will generally bemade to the unit in the right hand station, but mention will be madewhen appropriate to the operation of the left unit which takes place atthe same time. It will be understood that, as the film can be wound ineither direction, each winding unit 30 is capable of the same operationsas the other, but the units do not function in exactly the same mannerat the same time.

Still referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, it will be seen that right filmwinding unit 30 includes a clutch drum or hub 32, which is rotatablymounted on a. vertical shaft 34, thelower end of which is journaled inor carried by a horizontally disposed mounting plate or bracket 36,which in turn is carried by the deck 38 of winding station R.

I-Iub 32 includes, or has secured thereto for rotation therewith, anupwardly projecting spindle 39 on which can be mounted a cartridge orreel S of motion-picture film. Rotation of hub 32, and attached filmreel S is effected by a variable speed motor 40 having a generallyvertically disposed shaft 42 carrying a rubber pulley wheel 44 forengagement with the outer surface of hub 32 when the'motor is in a hubengaging position as shown in FIG. 4.

' Motor 40 is pivotally mounted at its lower endby a pin '46 to mountingears 48, which project upwardly from deck 38, for movement toward andaway from hub 32. Movement of motor 40 is effected by a motor solenoidmounted on deck 38 and having extending therefrom a plunger 52 pivotallyconnected by pin 54 to a motor arm 56 fixed to the motor. When the motorsolenoid is energized, as hereinafter described, it urges the motor inthe direction-of the arrow and into engagement with hub32. when solenoid.50 is de-energized the motor is pulled out of engagement with hub 32 bythe action of motor tension spring 58 which extends between motor arm 56and the frame or housing 59.

Braking of hub 32 iseffected by a braking mechanism 60 which includes astrap or band 62 generally semicircular in shapewhich has its free endsfixed to mounting plate 36 at opposite sides of hub 32, as at 64, andwhich presents, intermediate its ends, a connecting lug or car 66.

When the brake band is in the position shown in FIG. 3 at the right thebrake isnot applied, but when the band is 'pulled to the position shownat the left in FIG. 3 the brake is appliedby the functional engagementbetween the inside surface of the brake band and the outside surface ofhub 32.

Brake band center connecting ear is pivotally connected by pin 68 to oneend of abrake tension spring 70, the other end of which is connected todeck 38 by pin 72. The function of the brake spring is to bias the brakeband to the active or applied position as hereinafter described.

Brake band ear 68 is also pivotally connected by pin 68 to one end of abrake lever link 74, the other end of which is pivotally connected bypin 76 to an intermediate portion of a brake lever 78. At one end brakelever 78 is pivotally connected by pin 80 to mounting plate 36, while atits other end it is pivotally connected to idler mounting pin 82.Between pins 76 and 82 brake lever 78 is also pivotally connected by pin84 to a plunger 86 extending from a brake solenoid 88 which is mountedon deck 38 adjacent the brake mechanism. The function of brake solenoidis to urge the brake band to inactive or release position, ashereinafter described.

Now to describe the film slack take-up or idler mechanism, the operationof which is most essential to the invention. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5,it will be seen that the film roller or slack take-up mechanism,indicated generally at 100, includes an idler lever 102 pivotallyconnected at one end to pin 82.

Idler lever 102 carries a pair of aligned inner and outer film roller orslack take-up rollers 104 and 106, respectively. Inner roller 104 ismounted on pin 82, or an extension thereof, and outer roller 106 ismounted on pin 108. Fixed to and carried by idler lever 102 at its innerend is a lever arm 110 one end of which is engageable with a stop 112 onthe deck, to limit movement of the brake lever and idler lever in onedirection, and the other end of which is engageable with a plunger 114of a microswitch 116 also mounted on deck 38.

Idler lever 102 also carries a coil spring 118 operable to bias idlerlever 102 in a clockwise direction as seen in the right side of FIG. 3.It will be understood that, as brake lever 78 and idler lever 102 arepivotally connected to each other by pin 82, when either lever is movedor urged to the right or left, the other lever will be moved or carriedtherewith. Further, because of the pivotal connection between the brakeand idler levers, the latter is able to rotate relative to the former.

In describing the operation of the film winding and braking actions, itwill be assumed that the film is being unwound from the left reel S, istravelling to the right, and is being wound on the right reel S.

After the end of the film has been manually threaded around the leftpair of idler rollers, through both pair of guide rollers at theinspecting station and around the right pair of idler rollers it isattached to the reel S carried by the hub 32 of the right unit.

Rapid mechanical advancement of the film is now possible, and to beginthe travel of the film to the right the right unit motor 40' and motorsolenoid 50 areenergized by depressing a direction switch. As theelectrical switches, circuits, and controls may be of standardconstruction and operation they will not be discussed in detail. Sincethe motor is preferably a variable speed motor controlled by a threeposition resistor the speed selector switch must first be set to thedesired speed. The controls include direction switches to control thedirection of travel, but for convenience it is desirable to have atwo-direction foot activated switch (not shown), so that when theoperator steps on one side the film is pulled in one direction and whenhe steps on the other side the film is pulled in the opposite direction,and when the switch is disengaged by the operator the braking actioncommences as hereinafter described.

When the right direction switch is depressed right motor 40 and motorsolenoid 50 are energized and the motor is moved by the solenoid intoengagement with right hub 32 and begins to rotate the hub in acounterclockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 3. At the same time rightbrake solenoid 88 is also energized and moves right brake lever 78 tothe left causing brake lever link 74 to move to the left and upward torelease the right brake band from engagement with right hub 32 so thatit can be freely rotated by the motor.

Motor 40 starts in a creep speed until the film is taut and as allexcess slack is taken out of the film around the right idler mechanismtension on right idler rollers urges right idler lever to rotate in acounterclockwise direction bringing idler lever arm 110 into contactwith plunger 114 of micro-switch 116 which causes motor 40 to go fromcreep speed to the pre-selected regular speed.

At the time of start-up of the right unit the brake of the left unit is,of course, still applied by the biasing action of left brake spring 70.As the film is pulled to the right, the slack is taken up and tension ofthe film around the idler rollers of the left unit causes the left idlerlever to rotate in a clockwise direction to release the left brakemechanically, not electronically. As left idler lever rotates clockwiselever arm 110 engages stop 112 and thereby causes the inner end of theleft idler lever and the lower end of brake lever 78, which areinterconnected by pin 82, to move to the right. As left brake lever 78moves to the right, left brake lever link moves to the right and up torelease the brake band from the left hub 32.

At this point in the sequence the brakes of both units are released andthe film is travelling to the right.

In order to stop the travel of the film the direction switch isreleased. This de-energizes right motor 40 and motor solenoid 50 causingthe motor to stop and causing the motor solenoid to release, so themotor lever spring 58 can bias the motor away from and out of engagementwith hub 32. At the same time right brake solenoid is deenergizedpermitting right brake spring to bias the brake band into brakingposition. The action of the idler mechanisms of both right and leftunits is immaterial at this time, but they both are biased downwardly bytheir idler springs 118. At the same time brake spring 70 of the leftunit also biases its related brake band into braking position. To startthe film moving again the process is merely repeated.

In the event the film accidently breaks while travelling, -to the rightfor example, at high speed, the brake in the left unit is automaticallyapplied mechanically. As the tension is released from. around the leftidler rollers the idler spring 118 moves the left idler lever down andthe left brake lever is moved to the left and the left brake spring 70biases the left brake band into braking position. At the same time thebrake in the right unit is not automatically applied but first the lossof tension on the right idler rollers permits the spring 118 to rotatethe right idler lever clockwise and move the idler lever arm out ofcontact with the microswitch plunger so that the right motor immediatelygoes from its pre-selected speed back to creep speed to wind the freeend of the film on the right reel S. Of course, as the operator noticesthe break in the film he releases the direction switch and the rightmotor then stops and is moved away from hub 32 as the right motorsolenoid is de-energized and motor lever spring 58 biases the motor awayfrom the hub. Also, right brake spring 70 biases the right brake bandinto braking position.

It will be understood that when the motor is not energized it ispossible to rotate the lead reel S manually to scan the film as itpasses over the lighted viewing area for editing purposes.

Thus, unlike any known prior art film editing apparatus, the presentinvention permits fast start-up for high Speed winding of film; nearinstant stopping for accuracy; free wheeling when not under power formanual scanning; instant braking action if film breaks; and rapidmovement of film from viewing to splicing positions at the filminspection station.

I claim:

1. In an editing device for inspecting and splicing motion picture film,the combination of:

a. a film editing station including:

i. film viewing means;

if. film cutting means;

iii. film splicing means;

b. a pair of film transporting stations disposed at opposite sides ofsaid film editing station for transporting said film across said filmediting station.

c. each of said film transporting stations including:

i. film winding means;

ii. variable speed motor means for driving said winding means at high orlow speeds;

iii. means for automatically braking said winding means in the eventsaid motor means is deenergized or the film breaks;

iv. film slack take-up means;

d. means for operating said driving, braking, and takeup means incooperation with each other for preventing:

i. elimination of excess slack in said film;

ii. accidental breaking of said film due to excess tensioning;

iii. accidental unwinding of a free end of said film in the event of apre-existing break in said film.

2. A film editing device according to claim 1, wherein said film editingstation includes:

a. guide means for receiving said'film as it passes across said filmediting station;

b. means for rapidly moving said guide means with said film held thereinbetween a position over said viewing means and a position at saidcutting and splicing means.

3. A film editing device according to claim 2, wherein said film guidemeans include brackets mounted for rotation approximately 180 from oneof said positions to the other of said positions.

4. A film editing device according to claim 1, wherein said drivingmeans includes:

a. a variable speed motor mounted for movement into and out offrictional engagement with said winding means;

b. means for moving said motor into and out of frictional engagementwith said winding means.

5. A film editing device according to claim 1, wherein said brakingmeans includes:

a. a brake band engageable with a surface presented by said windingmeans;

b. spring means for normally biasing said brake band into engagementwith said surface;

0. means for moving said brake band out of engagement with said surface.upon actuation of said motor means.

6. A film editing device according to claim 1, wherein said film slacktake-up means includes:

a. idler roller means engageable with said film;

-b. lever means carrying said idler roller means;

0. means engageable with and responsive to movement of said lever meansfor changing the rate of speed of said driving means from a creep speedto a pre-selected higher speed when said film is tensioned about saididler means.

7. A motion picture film editing device including a film editingstation, having film viewing means and film splicing means locatedadjacent each other, and a pair of film transporting stations disposedon opposite sides of said editing station and having means fortransporting film to be edited across said editing station, each of saidfilm transporting stations comprising:

a. film winding means including a drum mounted for rotational movementand a film support detachably attached thereto for rotation therewith;

b. a variable speed motor for driving said drum;

c. motor control means operable to vary the speed of said motor betweena low creep speed and a higher regular speed;

d. brake means operable between drum engaged and drum disengagedpositions;

e. film slack take-up means including a film contact element carried ona take-up control lever;

f. said take-up control lever being operatively engageable with saidmotor control means andsaid brake means and being pivotally mounted:

i. for rotation in one direction, responsive to tension on the film atsaid film contact element, to actuate said motor control means andthereby increase the speed of said motor and also to move said brakemeans to disengaged position;

ii. for rotation in the opposite direction, responsive to no tension onthe film at said film contact element, to deactuate said motor controlmeans and thereby decrease the speed of said motor and also to move saidbrake means to engaged position.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein said film editing stationincludes:

a. guide means for receiving said film as it passes across said filmediting station;

b. means for rapidly moving said guide means with said film held thereinbetween one position over said viewing means and another position atsaid splicing means.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein said film guide means includebrackets rotatable approximately 1 from one of said positions to theother of said positions. I I

10. A device according to'claim 7, wherein said variable speed motor ispivotally mounted for movement into and out of engagement with saiddrum.

11. A device according to claim 7, wherein said brake means includes:

a. a brake band engageable with a surface presented by the drum of saidwinding means;

b. spring means for normally biasing said brake band into engagementwith said surface;

12. A device according to claim 7, wherein said film contact elementincludes at least one idler roller rotatably mounted on said take-upcontrol lever.

' i l II

1. In an editing device for inspecting and splicing motion picture film,the combination of: a. a Film editing station including: i. film viewingmeans; ii. film cutting means; iii. film splicing means; b. a pair offilm transporting stations disposed at opposite sides of said filmediting station for transporting said film across said film editingstation. c. each of said film transporting stations including: i. filmwinding means; ii. variable speed motor means for driving said windingmeans at high or low speeds; iii. means for automatically braking saidwinding means in the event said motor means is deenergized or the filmbreaks; iv. film slack take-up means; d. means for operating saiddriving, braking, and takeup means in cooperation with each other forpreventing: i. elimination of excess slack in said film; ii. accidentalbreaking of said film due to excess tensioning; iii. accidentalunwinding of a free end of said film in the event of a pre-existingbreak in said film.
 2. A film editing device according to claim 1,wherein said film editing station includes: a. guide means for receivingsaid film as it passes across said film editing station; b. means forrapidly moving said guide means with said film held therein between aposition over said viewing means and a position at said cutting andsplicing means.
 3. A film editing device according to claim 2, whereinsaid film guide means include brackets mounted for rotationapproximately 180* from one of said positions to the other of saidpositions.
 4. A film editing device according to claim 1, wherein saiddriving means includes: a. a variable speed motor mounted for movementinto and out of frictional engagement with said winding means; b. meansfor moving said motor into and out of frictional engagement with saidwinding means.
 5. A film editing device according to claim 1, whereinsaid braking means includes: a. a brake band engageable with a surfacepresented by said winding means; b. spring means for normally biasingsaid brake band into engagement with said surface; c. means for movingsaid brake band out of engagement with said surface upon actuation ofsaid motor means.
 6. A film editing device according to claim 1, whereinsaid film slack take-up means includes: a. idler roller means engageablewith said film; b. lever means carrying said idler roller means; c.means engageable with and responsive to movement of said lever means forchanging the rate of speed of said driving means from a creep speed to apre-selected higher speed when said film is tensioned about said idlermeans.
 7. A motion picture film editing device including a film editingstation, having film viewing means and film splicing means locatedadjacent each other, and a pair of film transporting stations disposedon opposite sides of said editing station and having means fortransporting film to be edited across said editing station, each of saidfilm transporting stations comprising: a. film winding means including adrum mounted for rotational movement and a film support detachablyattached thereto for rotation therewith; b. a variable speed motor fordriving said drum; c. motor control means operable to vary the speed ofsaid motor between a low creep speed and a higher regular speed; d.brake means operable between drum engaged and drum disengaged positions;e. film slack take-up means including a film contact element carried ona take-up control lever; f. said take-up control lever being operativelyengageable with said motor control means and said brake means and beingpivotally mounted: i. for rotation in one direction, responsive totension on the film at said film contact element, to actuate said motorcontrol means and thereby increase the speed of said motor and also tomove said brake means to disengaged position; ii. for rotation in theopposite direction, responsive to no tension on the film at said filmcontact element, to deactuate said motor control means and therebydecrease the speed of said motor and also to move said brake means toengaged position.
 8. A device according to claim 7, wherein said filmediting station includes: a. guide means for receiving said film as itpasses across said film editing station; b. means for rapidly movingsaid guide means with said film held therein between one position oversaid viewing means and another position at said splicing means.
 9. Adevice according to claim 8, wherein said film guide means includebrackets rotatable approximately 180* from one of said positions to theother of said positions.
 10. A device according to claim 7, wherein saidvariable speed motor is pivotally mounted for movement into and out ofengagement with said drum.
 11. A device according to claim 7, whereinsaid brake means includes: a. a brake band engageable with a surfacepresented by the drum of said winding means; b. spring means fornormally biasing said brake band into engagement with said surface; 12.A device according to claim 7, wherein said film contact elementincludes at least one idler roller rotatably mounted on said take-upcontrol lever.